Combined effect of spin speed and ionic strength on polyelectrolyte spin assembly

Polyelectrolyte spin assembly (PSA) of multilayers is a sequential process featuring adsorption of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes from dilute solutions undergoing spin-coating flow. Here, we report on the dependence of PSA multilayer buildup of poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) on solution ionic strength and spin speed. We observed that at a given spin speed, the PSA coating growth rate (thickness/bilayer) and polymer surface coverage shows a nonmonotonic dependence on salt concentration, first increasing and then decreasing with increasing solution ionic strength. This is argued to be a manifestation of two competing mechanisms responsible for the layer formation. At low salt concentrations, the electrostatic interactions control the multilayer assembly process, while at high salt concentrations it is dominated by shear flow. We explain this nonmonotonic behavior in the framework of a Flory-like theory of multilayer formation from polyelectrolyte solution under shear flow. Additionally, the PSA process led to multilayer coatings with a radial dependence on thickness at lower spin speed in the shear-dominated regime. On increasing spin speed, such radial dependence subsided, eventually leading to uniform coatings by planarization. The surface topography of the multilayered coatings adsorbed at salt concentration less than 0.1 M was flat and featureless for all studied spin speeds. Unique morphological features in the films were formed at salt concentration higher than 0.1 M, the size of which depended on the spin speed and solution ionic strength.     

Thermodynamical aspects of the spin crossover phenomenon

Fundamental aspects of spin crossover (SCO) mechanisms are reviewed through considerations of ligand/crystal field theory, thermodynamics, and modeling of the thermoinduced spin transition in the solid state based on macroscopic–mesoscopic approaches . In particular, we highlight success of thermodynamic models in the simulation of first-order spin transitions with hysteretic behaviors (bistability) and multistep conversions. Bistability properties originate from elastic interactions, the so-called cooperativity between SCO molecules in the crystal packing. Although physical and chemical properties and thermodynamical quantities of noninteracting SCO compounds can be readily injected in macroscopic models, taking cooperativity into account remains problematic. The relationship between phenomenological numerical parameters and experimentally accessible quantities can only be most of the time indirectly established. Recent extensions of these thermodynamical models to grasp SCO properties at the nanoscale and combinations with ab initio numerical methods show that macroscopic models still constitute useful theoretical tools to investigate SCO phenomena. The necessity to further probe the thermomechanical properties of SCO materials is also emphasized.     

A magnetic iron(III) switch with controlled and adjustable thermal response for solution processing

Spin crossover requires cooperative behavior of the metal centers in order to become useful for devices. While cooperativity is barely predictable in solids, we show here that solution processing and the covalent introduction of molecular recognition sites allows the spin crossover of iron(III) sal(2)trien complexes to be rationally tuned. A simple correlation between the number of molecular recognition sites and the spin crossover temperature enabled the fabrication of materials that are magnetically bistable at room temperature. The predictable behavior relies on combining function (spin switching) and structure (supramolecular assembly) through covalent interactions in a single molecular building block.     

Pulsed ESR dipolar spectroscopy for distance measurements in immobilized spin labeled proteins in liquid solution

Pulsed electron spin resonance (ESR) dipolar spectroscopy (PDS) in combination with site-directed spin labeling is unique in providing nanometer-range distances and distributions in biological systems. To date, most of the pulsed ESR techniques require frozen solutions at cryogenic temperatures to reduce the rapid electron spin relaxation rate and to prevent averaging of electron-electron dipolar interaction due to the rapid molecular tumbling. To enable measurements in liquid solution, we are exploring a triarylmethyl (TAM)-based spin label with a relatively long relaxation time where the protein is immobilized by attachment to a solid support. In this preliminary study, TAM radicals were attached via disulfide linkages to substituted cysteine residues at positions 65 and 80 or 65 and 76 in T4 lysozyme immobilized on Sepharose. Interspin distances determined using double quantum coherence (DQC) in solution are close to those expected from models, and the narrow distance distribution in each case indicates that the TAM-based spin label is relatively localized.     

Manipulating the Through‐Space Spin–Spin Interaction of Organic Radicals in the Confined Cavity of a Self‐Assembled Cage

We show a new approach to manipulating the through‐space spin–spin interaction by utilizing the confined cavity of a self‐assembled M₆L₄ coordination cage. The coordination cage readily encapsulates stable organic radicals in solution, which brings the spin centers of the radicals closer to each other. In sharp contrast to the fact that the radical in solution in the absence of the cage is in a doublet state, in the presence of the cage through‐space spin–spin interaction is induced through cage‐encapsulation effects in solution as well as in the solid state, resulting in the triplet state of the complex. These results were confirmed by ESR spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography. The quantity of triplet species generated by encapsulation in the cage increases with increasing affinity of the radicals to the cage. We estimated the affinity between several types of guests and the cage in solution by cyclic voltammetry. We also demonstrate that the through‐space interaction of organic radicals within the self‐assembled coordination cage can be controlled by external stimuli such as heat or pH.     

Janus Pyrrolopyrrole Aza-dipyrrin: Hydrogen-Bonded Assemblies and Slow Magnetic Relaxation of the Cobalt(II) Complex in the Solid State

A novel pyrrolopyrrole azadipyrrin ( Janus-PPAD ) with Janus duality was synthesized by a Schiff base–forming reaction of diketopyrrolopyrrole. The orthogonal interactions of the hydrogen-bonding ketopyrrole and metal-coordinating azadipyrrin moieties in Janus-PPAD enabled the metal ions to be arranged at regular intervals: zinc(II) and cobalt(II) coordination provided metal-coordinated Janus-PPAD dimers, which can subsequently form hydrogen-bonded one-dimensional arrays both in solution and in the solid state. The supramolecular assembly of the zinc(II) complex in solution was investigated by ¹H NMR spectroscopy based on the isodesmic model, in which a binding constant for the elongation of assemblies is constant. Owing to the tetrahedral coordination, in the solid state, the cobalt(II) complex exhibited a slow magnetic relaxation due to the negative D value of −27.1 cm⁻¹ with an effective relaxation energy barrier U_eff of 38.0 cm⁻¹. The effect of magnetic dilution on the relaxation behavior is discussed. The relaxation mechanism at low temperature was analyzed by considering spin lattice interactions and quantum tunneling effects. The easy-axis magnetic anisotropy was confirmed, and the relevant wave functions were obtained by ab initio CASSCF calculations.     

A Two‐in‐one Pincer Ligand and its Diiron(II) Complex Showing Spin State Switching in Solution through Reversible Ligand Exchange

A novel pyrazolate‐bridged ligand providing two {PNN} pincer‐type compartments has been synthesized. Its diiron(II) complex LFe₂(OTf)₃(CH₃CN) ( 1 ; Tf=triflate) features, in solid state, two bridging triflate ligands, with a terminal triflate and a MeCN ligand completing the octahedral coordination spheres of the two high‐spin metal ions. In MeCN solution, 1 is shown to undergo a sequential, reversible, and complete spin transition to the low‐spin state upon cooling. Detailed UV/Vis and ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopic studies as well as magnetic measurements have unraveled that spin state switching correlates with a rapid multistep triflate/MeCN ligand exchange equilibrium. The spin transition temperature can be continuously tuned by varying the triflate concentration in solution.     

Chiral Aggregates of Triphenylamine‐Based Dyes for Depleting the Production of Hydrogen Peroxide in the Photochemical Water‐Splitting Process

Recent studies on water‐splitting photoelectrochemical cells (PECs) have demonstrated the intriguing possibility of controlling the spin state in this chemical reaction to form H₂ and O₂ by exploiting the chirality of organic π‐conjugated supramolecular polymers. Although this fascinating phenomenon has been disclosed, the chiral supramolecular materials reported thus far are not optimized for acting as efficient photosensitizer for dye‐sensitized PECs. In this work we report on the design, synthesis, and characterization of chiral supramolecular aggregates based on C₃‐symmetric triphenylamine‐based dyes that are able to both absorb visible light and control the spin state of the process. Variable temperature‐dependent spectroscopic measurements reveal the assembly process of the dyes and confirm the formation of chiral aggregates, both in solution as well as on solid supports. Photoelectrochemical measurements on TiO₂‐based anodes validate the advantage of using chiral supramolecular aggregates as photosensitizer displaying higher photocurrent compared to achiral analogues. Moreover, fluorimetric tests for the quantification of the hydrogen peroxide produced, confirm the possibility of controlling the spin of the reaction exerting spin‐selection with chiral supramolecular polymers. These results represent a further step towards the next‐generation of organic‐based water‐splitting solar cells.     

Octacyanidorhenate(V) Ion as an Efficient Linker for Hysteretic Two‐Step Iron(II) Spin Crossover Switchable by Temperature,Light, and Pressure

A two‐step hysteretic Fe^II spin crossover (SCO) effect was achieved in programmed layered Cs{[Fe(3‐CNpy)₂][Re(CN)₈]}?H₂O ( 1 ) (3‐CNpy=3‐cyanopyridine) assembly consisting of cyanido‐bridged Fe^II‐Re^V square grid sheets bonded by Cs⁺ ions. The presence of two non‐equivalent Fe^II sites and the conjunction of 2D bimetallic coordination network with non‐covalent interlayer interactions involving Cs⁺, [Re^V(CN)₈]^3? ions, and 3‐CNpy ligands, leads to the occurrence of two steps of thermal SCO with strong cooperativity giving a double thermal hysteresis loop. The resulting spin‐transition phenomenon could be tuned by an external pressure giving the room‐temperature range of SCO, as well as by visible‐light irradiation, inducing an efficient recovery of the high‐spin Fe^II state at low temperatures. We prove that octacyanidorhenate(V) ion is an outstanding metalloligand for induction of a cooperative multistep, multiswitchable Fe^II SCO effect.     

苝醌/富勒烯C60超分子与电子给体的电子转移作用

利用紫外-可见吸收光谱、瞬态吸收光谱及X射线衍射等方法研究了苝醌染料竹红菌素镁离子配合物(Mg2+-HA)与富勒烯C60的相互作用. 结果表明, Mg2+-HA与C60在溶液和固体状态下都能够形成稳定的超分子. Mg2+-HA存在条件下, C60能够溶于多种极性溶剂, 在二甲基亚砜(DMSO)中的溶解度能够达到1×10^-4 mol·L^-1. 作为超分子体系中的光捕获分子, Mg2+-HA能显著地提高C60与N,N-二甲基苯胺(DMA)的光诱导电子转移反应效率, 生成的C60负离子自由基的电子自旋共振光谱(ESR)信号强度比未加入Mg2+-HA时增强了9倍左右.     

Homogeneous and disordered assembly of densely packed titanium oxide nanocrystals: an approach to coupled synthesis and assembly in aqueous solution

A homogeneous and disordered assembly of densely packed nanocrystals 2-3 nm in size was synthesized at room temperature in an aqueous solution without the assistance of any organic molecules. The assembled nanocrystals of titanium oxides, such as anatase titanium dioxide, sodium titanate, and a solid solution with rutile tin dioxide, formed macroscopic transparent objects 2-5 mm in size. In general, it is not easy to obtain homogeneous and disordered assembly of nanocrystals without assistance of any organic molecules for the inhibition of inhomogeneous and disordered aggregation. In the present work, the formation of the hydrated layer on the surface of nanocrystals facilitated the homogeneous and disordered assembly. The crystal phases and the compositions of the nanocrystals were controlled by the tuning of the synthetic conditions, such as the initial pH and metal source concentration. Based on the formation processes and mechanisms, this approach for the coupled synthesis and assembly can be applied to a variety of nanomaterials for preparation of homogeneous but disordered assembly.     

Electric-field-induced fabrication of covalently linked second-order nonlinear optical multilayer films on nonconductive substrates

A highly stable second-order nonlinear optical multilayer film was constructed on insulating substrates using the electric-field-induced layer-by-layer assembly technique. The substrates used in this method could be arbitrary. In another, the substrates could be modified with polyanion solution by spin coating as cladding layer. Then, the nonlinear optical multilayer films were assembled on the cladding layer directly by the electric-field-induced layer-by-layer assembly technique. The resulting cross-linked multilayer films fabricated by this method displayed high optical transparency, good thermal stability, and excellent nonlinear optical properties which can be made into waveguide devices directly.     

Surface‐Assisted Self‐Assembly of a Hydrogel by Proton Diffusion

Controlling supramolecular growth at solid surfaces is of great importance to expand the scope of supramolecular materials. A dendritic benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarboxamide peptide conjugate is described in which assembly can be triggered by a pH jump. Stopped‐flow kinetics and mathematical modeling provide a quantitative understanding of the nucleation, elongation, and fragmentation behavior in solution. To assemble the molecule at a solid–liquid interface, we use proton diffusion from the bulk. The latter needs to be slower than the lag phase of nucleation to progressively grow a hydrogel outwards from the surface. Our method of surface‐assisted self‐assembly is generally applicable to other gelators, and can be used to create structured supramolecular materials.     

New synthesis of a spin-labeled peptide nucleic acid and its interactions with nucleic acids

A new combined solid-liquid phase synthesis method for a spin labeled peptide nucleic acid (PNA) is developed. The methodology involved initial preparation of a protected PNA on solid phase, followed by efficient solution phase coupling to a spin label containing a reactive carboxylic group. This strategy allows to maintain the integrity of the nitroxide moiety during the various steps of chemical synthesis assuring in the same time the fidelity of the hybridization assay. This compound can be used as a reporter molecule to investigate the binding of peptide nucleic acids to oligonucleotide sequences (DNA or RNA) by EPR spectroscopy.     

Electron Spin Resonance Analysis of Semiquinone Free Radicals of Aquatic and Soil Fulvic and Humic Acids

Abstract

We analyzed the solid state and aqueous solution electron spin resonance (esr) spectra of Oyster River and Podzol soil fulvic and humic acids. Because the aqueous solution esr spectra mimic the behavior of the model compound para-benzosemiquinone, we conclude that semiquinone free radicals predominate in fulvic acid. In addition a decrease in spin concentration at a potential of 0.20 volts (vs. SCE) demonstrates that the semiquinone radicals are at least partially responsible for the reducing capability of humic materials. From the above results we devised a quantitative semiquinone analysis for humic materials.     

Porous Organic Molecular Frameworks with Extrinsic Porosity: A Platform for Carbon Storage and Separation

The assembly of porous organic molecular frameworks (POMFs), which typically evidence common feasibility and compatibility, purification, and regeneration at practical conditions, remains a strategic challenge in modern materials science and is crucial for their favorable applications in biological, medical, and environmental realms. However, instructive knowledge of well‐organized POMF assembly by supramolecular interactions is, in general, ambiguous to date. Nevertheless, a significant advance in controlled POMF assembly has been recently achieved. This Minireview highlights these approaches, with a particular focus on the design of molecular constituents and assembly strategies. We also look beyond the field of solid‐state POMF materials into the assembly and recognition in solution, thus covering recent advances in POMFs based on material design and applications in carbon storage and separation.     

Bowl Inversion in an Exo‐type Supramolecule in the Solid State

Bowl inversion is a unique property of buckybowls. The polarity and assembly configuration of buckybowls are reversed after bowl inversion. So far, this unique phenomenon has been studied in solution and on surface, but not in solid state due to spatial constraint. Now a series of exo‐type supramolecular assemblies of trithiasumanene and nanographene are investigated. Tuning the electron density of the nanogaphene component was found to directly affect the binding constant of the complex. Reversible bowl inversion in the solid state was then successfully achieved by subjecting the trithiasumanene–nanographene assembly with the weakest binding strength to repeated heating–cooling cycles, which was unambiguously observed by single crystal X‐ray diffraction.     

Electronic structure and solution behavior of a tris(N,N'-diphenylhydrazido)manganese(IV) propeller complex

The electronic structure and magnetic properties of the manganese(IV) trihydrazide propeller complex, Li(2)Mn(κ(2)-PhN-NPh)(3)L(2) (1, L = tetrahydrofuran, diethyl ether), are explored. EPR and solid-state magnetometry studies are indicative of a high spin Mn(IV) with a S = 3/2 spin state. Solution-phase magnetic measurements result in a measured μ(eff) less than that expected for a S = 3/2, indicating a solution-phase equilibrium with a lower-spin species. Concentration-dependent magnetic susceptibility measurements identify clustering of 1 to an antiferromagnetically coupled multinuclear complex as the most likely explanation for the solution behavior. Comparative infrared spectroscopy in solution and solid phase are described which support speciation in solution.     

Reversible structural isomerisation in rare thioether complexes of cobalt(II)--effects of ligand architecture

Rare examples of (high spin) Co(II) complexes with geometrically constrained tetrathioether ligands exhibit a very unusual structural isomerism, switching reversibly between tetrahedral monomers in solution and octahedral chain polymers in the solid; the crystal structures of one polymeric species and a tetrahedral monomer model compound are described.     

Reversible switching of a cobalt complex by thermal, pressure, and electrochemical stimuli: abrupt, complete, hysteretic spin crossover

Triply switchable [Co(II)(dpzca)(2)] shows an abrupt, reversible, and hysteretic spin crossover (T(1/2)↓ = 168 K, T(1/2)↑ = 179 K, and ΔT(1/2) = 11 K) between the high-spin (HS) and low-spin (LS) states of cobalt(II), both of which have been structurally characterized. The spin transition is also reversibly triggered by pressure changes. Moreover, in a third reversible switching mechanism for this complex, the magnetic properties can be switched between HS cobalt(II) and LS cobalt(III) by redox.